Archaeological and Historical Investigations of the Upshaw Cemetery (9CW440)

New South Associates was contracted by Clough Harbor Associates (CHA) to conduct an archaeological investigation of an abandoned historic cemetery along the proposed Newnan Bypass in Coweta County. Coweta County, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), and their contractors are in the development stages for the bypass as part of projects CSMSL-006-00(293), CSSTP-0006-00(887), CSSTP-0007-00(694); PI Numbers 0006293, 0006877, 0007694, 0009694; HP#071226-010. The cemetery was discovered in September 2014 during clearing in preparation for construction of the new right-of-way (ROW) (PI 0007694). On September 12, 2014, New South Archaeologist Brad Botwick visited the site to collect information on surface features and to determine whether a headstone discovered during clearing was an isolated occurrence or belonged to a larger cemetery. Mr. Botwick identified a series of stones and depressions, which he concluded represented the remains of an abandoned cemetery. The cemetery was assigned Archaeological Site Number 9CW440 (Appendix A). New South Associates’ survey was conducted in accordance with OCGA 36-72 (Abandoned Cemeteries and Burial Grounds) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), specifically 36CFR800.13 – Post-Review Discoveries without Planning.

The current investigation was intended to confirm whether graves were present and define whether construction of a retaining wall, designed to preserve the cemetery in place, was feasible. This document presents the results of investigations at the cemetery, the history of the cemetery, as well as a National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) evaluation and assessment of potential effects.

Archaeological test trenching identified a total of 50 features including one headstone and 49 potential graves. Other architecture included 20 potential fieldstone markers and two possible ledger stones. A 30-foot (10-m) grave-free buffer was delineated on the southern, eastern, and northeastern margins of the cemetery. The northern and western boundaries were not fully defined or buffered because they fell outside the current ROW.

The eastern and southern sides of the cemetery within the proposed construction areas were examined for indications of mortuary features. None were found, indicating that construction of the retaining wall was feasible. The cemetery minimally measures 61x200 feet (20x61 m, 0.25 ac.) without the buffer, and 105x260 feet (32x80 m, 0.50 ac.) with the buffer. This must be considered the minimum size of the cemetery as the cemetery likely extends westward outside the ROW.

New South recommends that the cemetery and its surrounding grounds be avoided to prevent impacting any graves. However, if avoidance is not possible, additional work will be necessary to protect or relocate graves that may be impacted. The cemetery was evaluated in terms of its significance for inclusion on the NRHP. The underlying archaeological deposits possess data on burial customs, mortuary deposits, and potentially physical anthropology of the burial community, and would be considered eligible under Criterion D for their research potential. The eligibility determination does not recommend that Upshaw Cemetery is eligible to the NRHP under Criteria A, B, or C. The Upshaw Cemetery is thus recommended eligible for the NRHP under Criterion D. Because it is recommended eligible under Criterion D, NRHP Criteria Consideration D: Cemeteries, does not apply.

Avoidance alternatives were examined and it was determined that avoidance of all known graves and preservation of the cemetery in place was possible through design changes including construction of a retaining wall along the length of the cemetery. As a result of avoidance and minimization measures, the project will have No Adverse Effect on the Upshaw Cemetery (9CW440). Future management recommendations for the site include delineation of the full cemetery boundary and recordation on plat maps, increased visibility of the cemetery with unobtrusive grave markers, and development of a maintenance/stewardship plan.